Adjustment device for a basketball rim attachment

ABSTRACT

An adjustment device for a basketball rim attachment is disclosed. The basketball rim attachment includes a generally C-shaped ring capable of circumferential contraction from its normal unrestrained configuration. The coupling device is employed to cause the circumferential contraction of the ring to facilitate the installation and removal of the basketball rim attachment to and from a rim of a basketball goal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustment device for a basketball rim attachment, and more particularly to an adjustment device to facilitate the installation and removal of such attachment to and from a rim of a basketball goal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is generally known in the prior art that devices can be employed to slightly reduce the diameter of a regulation rim of a basketball goal to assist in improving the shooting skill and accuracy of basketball athletes. Such devices are used during practice sessions and are adapted to be mounted on the rim of standard basketball goal prior to the practice session and removed therefrom upon the cessation of practice.

Exemplary to the prior art devices are those illustrated and described in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,904,836 Peoples; U.S. Pat. No. 2,708,576 Verkuilen; U.S. Pat. No. 2,918,283 Marschalk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,915 Woodcock; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,092 Riepe et al. The patent to Marschalk shows a basketball practice device comprising a C-shaped ring having a plurality of radially extending and depending bifurcated legs affixed thereto. The C-shaped ring is constructed of a material which permits it to be expanded and contracted circumferentially and to thereby be mounted on a standard basketball goal so that the bifurcated legs of the device are forced outwardly into engagement with the basketball goal by forces developed with a C-shaped ring. The C-shaped ring is an annular ring having any small section thereof removed to form a ring having the general appearance of a capital letter C. The C-shaped ring is a slightly smaller diameter than the standard basketball goal, but of larger diameter than the standard basketball, and is mounted on a plane slightly above the plane of the goal so that the force of basketballs falling on the C-shaped ring can be readily transmitted to the goal without danger of the C-shaped ring becoming disengaged therefrom. During training and practice sessions, the device is effective in improving the shooting accuracy of the players which should result in a higher shooting average during regulation play.

However, in the Marschalk patent, as well as the other prior art, there is no suggestion of how the attachment of the device to the goal can be accomplished, other than forcing together the two end portions of the C-shaped ring.

Additionally, the commonly owned PCT Patent Application 2006/005829 of Krueger, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein, discloses a mechanism for accomplishing both the attachment of the C-shaped ring to the basketball goal and the removal of the C-shaped ring from the basketball goal. The mechanism disclosed in the Krueger application, although novel and very useful, is a more elaborate mechanism than what some consumers desire or more costly than what some consumers wish to pay.

It is an object of the present invention to produce an adjustment device facilitating the installation and removal of a basketball rim attachment to and from the rim of a basketball goal and having a minimized cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compatible and attuned with the present invention, an adjustment device facilitating the installation and removal of a basketball rim attachment to and from the rim of a basketball goal and at a minimal cost has surprisingly been discovered.

The above objective, as well as others, may be achieved by a basketball rim attachment for the rim of a standard basketball goal comprising a ring having spaced apart ends and being generally C-shaped in its unrestrained configuration, and adjustment means for varying the spacing between the ends of the ring.

The above objective may also be achieved by a basketball rim attachment for the rim of a standard basketball goal comprising a ring having spaced apart ends and being generally C-shaped in its unrestrained configuration, a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs affixed to the ring adapted to engage the rim of the basketball goal, each of the respective ends of the ring having at least one tab adjacent thereto, and adjustment means for varying the spacing between the ends of the ring, the adjustment means including a first member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the tabs and a right-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook, a second member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the tabs and a left-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook, and an elongate member including an internally threaded bore having a right-hand threaded section to receive the right-handed threaded end of the first member and having a left-hand threaded section to receive the left-hand threaded end of the second member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a basketball rim attachment and an associated adjustment device;

FIG. 2 is a back elevational view of the rim attachment and the associated adjustment device illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the adjustment device illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a basketball rim attachment, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, and an associated adjustment device, generally indicated by reference numeral 50. The device 50 is employed to facilitate the installation and removal of the basketball rim attachment 10 to and from a rim of a basketball goal.

The basketball rim attachment 10 includes a generally C-shaped ring 12 having end portions 14 and 16 defining a space in between. As used in this application, the term ring refers to a sector of a ring being generally C-shaped. The ring 12 is provided with a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26. While there are five tabs in the embodiment shown, it should be understood that other combinations of tabs may be employed. The tabs 18 and 26 are disposed near the respective end portions 14 and 16, while the other tabs 20, 22 and 24 are disposed at spaced positions about the circumference of the ring 12. The outwardly extending ends of the tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 are adapted to firmly engage the rim of a basketball goal.

The ring 12 is formed of a material which is capable of circumferential contraction and expansion from the normal position illustrated in the drawings. A force may be applied to the ring 12 to urge the ends 14, 16 closer causing a reduction in the diameter of the ring 12. Alternative, a force may be applied to the ring 12 to urge the ends 14, 16 farther apart causing an increase in the diameter of the ring 12. Upon release of such forces, the ring 12 will return to its original unrestrained configuration as shown in the drawings. Typically, the ring 12 is formed of a ferrous metal, for example. The tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 in the illustrated embodiment are formed of a metal which may be readily welded to the ring 12.

The adjustment device 50, more clearly shown in FIG. 3, is employed to apply the forces to the ring 12 to effect a change in the diameter. The adjustment device 50 includes a first member 52 having a hook 54 on one end and a right-hand threaded section 56 formed to extend from the hook 54. The hook 54 is adapted to attach to the tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26. The adjustment device 50 includes a second member 58 having a hook 60 on one end and a left-hand threaded section 62 formed to extend from the hook 60. The hook 60 is adapted to attach to the tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26. It should be understood the threaded sections 56, 62 may extend in spaced relation from the hooks 54, 60 respectively.

The adjustment device 50 includes an elongate member 64 adapted to receive the threaded sections 56, 62 of the first member 52 and the second member 58. The elongate member 64 has an axially oriented internally threaded bore 66 therethrough. The bore 66 includes a right-hand threaded section (not shown) to receive the right-hand threaded section 56 of the first member 52 and a left-hand threaded section (not shown) to receive the left-hand threaded section 62 of the second member 58. It should be understood that a threaded boar can be formed in each end of the elongate member rather than providing the single bore 66 extending through the entire length thereof. An outer surface 72 of the elongate member 64 is adapted to facilitate the griping thereof to effect a rotation of the elongate member 64. In the embodiment shown, the outer surface 72 includes a knurled collar 74 attached thereto to facilitate the gripping of the elongate member 64. It should be understood that other gripping means can be used as desired such as providing knurling in the outer surface 72 or providing a shape to the elongate member 64 adapted to receive a wrench, for example.

In use, a rotation of the elongate member 64 in respect of the first member 52 and the second member 58 causes an axial movement of the hooks 54, 60 toward or away from the elongate member 64 depending on the direction of rotation. The axial movement causes the adjustment device 50 to lengthen or shorten depending on the selected direction of rotation. The change in length of the adjustment device 50 is employed to reduce or expand the diameter of the basketball rim attachment 10.

To install the basketball rim attachment 10 to the rim of a basketball goal, the two end portions 14, 16 must be forced together so that the diameter of the ring 12 is reduced. The reduced diameter of the ring 12 will cause the tabs 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 to move radially inwardly allowing the basketball rim attachment 10 to be positioned in respect to the basketball goal for mounting thereto. The diameter of the ring 12 is then expanded causing the ends of the tabs 18, 20, 22 and 24 to firmly engage the basketball goal. Obviously, the diameter of the ring 12 is larger in the unrestrained position than it is when mounted for use on the basketball rim.

To remove the basketball rim attachment, the two end portions 14, 16 must be forced together to cause the ends of the tabs 18, 20, 22 and 24 to disengage the basketball goal enabling the basketball rim attachment 10 to be removed therefrom.

The adjustment device 50 is employed to urge the ends 14, 16 of the ring 12 closer together to facilitate the installation and removal of the basketball rim attachment 10 to the basketball goal. For example, the hook 54 of the first member 52 is attached to the tab 18 of the basketball rim attachment 10. The elongate member 64 is then rotated to adjust the length of the adjustment device 50 to where the hook 60 of the second member 58 can be attached to the tab 26 of the basketball rim attachment 10. Once the hooks 54, 60 are attached to the tabs 18, 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongate member 64 is rotated in respect of the first member 52 and the second member 58 causing an axial movement of the hooks 54, 60 toward the elongate member 64 reducing the overall length of the adjustment device 50. As the length of the adjustment device 50 is reduced, the ends 14, 16 of the ring 12 are urged toward each other reducing the diameter of the ring 12. Once the ring 12 is caused to be at a reduced diameter and positioned in respect of the basketball goal, the elongate member 64 is rotated in respect of the first member 52 and the second member 58 causing an axial movement of the hooks 54, 60 away from the elongate member 64 increasing the overall length of the adjustment device 50. As the length of the adjustment device 50 is increased, the residual forces to the ring 12 cause the ends 14, 16 to move away from each other increasing the diameter of the ring 10 and causing the tabs 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 firmly engage the basketball goal. The elongate member 64 is further rotated to increase the length thereof so that the hooks 54, 60 can be disengaged from the tabs 18, 26 allowing the adjustment device 50 to be removed from the rim attachment 10. The process is performed in reverse order to remove the rim attachment 10 from the basketball goal.

The above described invention has produced a cost effective system for safely and simply mounting and removing the basketball rim attachment 12. Further, the invention is mounted on the top of the standard rim of a basketball goal by causing a decrease in the diameter of the ring without the necessity of any mounting bolts, screws, or brackets.

One other feature which can be utilized in combination with the present invention includes a bar which may be selectively attached to extend across the ring 12 to militate against the passage of a basketball therethrough. Such structure would be useful in practicing rebounding, for example.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

1. A basketball rim attachment for the rim of a standard basketball goal comprising: a ring having spaced apart ends and being generally C-shaped in its unrestrained configuration; and adjustment means for varying the spacing between the ends of the ring.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1 including a plurality of outwardly extending tabs affixed to the ring adapted to engage the rim of a basketball goal.
 3. The invention defined in claim 2 wherein the tabs are positioned adjacent the respective ends of the ring.
 4. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein the adjustment means includes: a first member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the ring and a right-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook; a second member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the ring and a left-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook; and an elongate member including an internally threaded bore having a right-hand threaded section to receive the right-handed threaded end of the first member and having a left-hand threaded section to receive the left-hand threaded end of the second member.
 5. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the right-hand threaded section extends in spaced relation from the hook of the first member and the left-hand threaded section extends in spaced relation from the hook of the second member.
 6. The invention defined in claim 4 wherein the elongate member includes an outer surface to facilitate the gripping thereof to effect a rotation of the elongate member.
 7. A basketball rim attachment for the rim of a standard basketball goal comprising: a ring having spaced apart ends and being generally C-shaped in its unrestrained configuration; a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs affixed to the ring adapted to engage the rim of the basketball goal, each of the respective ends of the ring having at least one tab adjacent thereto; and adjustment means for varying the spacing between the ends of the ring, the adjustment means including a first member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the tabs and a right-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook, a second member having a hook on one end adapted to attach to the tabs and a left-hand threaded section formed to extend from the hook, and an elongate member including an internally threaded bore having a right-hand threaded section to receive the right-handed threaded end of the first member and having a left-hand threaded section to receive the left-hand threaded end of the second member.
 8. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the right-hand threaded section extends in spaced relation from the hook of the first member and the left-hand threaded section extends in spaced relation from the hook of the second member.
 9. The invention defined in claim 7 wherein the elongate member includes an outer surface to facilitate the gripping thereof to effect a rotation of the elongate member. 